After missing out on Wandy Peralta, Keynan Middleton and a few other free agent relievers, the Yankees are addressing their bullpen via trade.
The team is acquiring Caleb Ferguson from the Dodgers, a source confirmed to the Daily News. The deal was first reported by MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, who added that the recently-claimed Matt Gage is part of Los Angeles’ return.
The Yankees later announced that Christian Zazueta is also in the deal. The 19-year-old spent the last two seasons pitching in the Dominican Summer League, where he recorded a 4.54 ERA.
The Dodgers also have an agreement with in-house free agent reliever Ryan Brasier, per multiple reports.
This marks the second time this offseason that the Yankees have added a southpaw from the Dodgers’ bullpen, as they previously traded for Victor González. Both can take on Peralta’s former responsibilities, as he bolted for San Diego in free agency last week. Other lefty relievers on the Yankees’ 40-man roster include Nick Ramirez and Matt Krook.
Ferguson, a five-year pro, becomes the most experienced left-hander in the Yankees’ pen, as he owns a 3.43 ERA over 207.1 career innings. That number shrinks to 2.85 when looking at Ferguson’s stats since 2020.
Ferguson also has a 0.00 ERA over eight postseason appearances.
The 27-year-old, who missed the 2021 season due to Tommy John surgery, recorded a 3.43 ERA over a career-high 68 games and 60.1 innings last season.
Ferguson struck out 25.9% of the batters he faced in 2023 while walking 8.5%. Like other Yankees relievers, he has a knack for inducing groundballs. He did so at a 49.1% clip last season. Ferguson is also good at missing barrels, as he ranked in the 97th percentile in that category last year.
Ferguson is slated to be a free agent next offseason. He avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $2.4 million deal with the Dodgers in January.
With Ferguson joining the fray, the Yankees’ top bullpen options now include him, González, closer Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Ian Hamilton and Luke Weaver. Scott Effross’ timeline is unclear following Tommy John surgery, but he would be a key cog once cleared as well.
Other candidates for bullpen work include Ramirez, Krook, Ron Marinaccio, Cody Morris and Cody Poteet. Starting pitching prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter could factor in as well.
